The sixth annual Audi Snowmass 50 mountain bike race, one of the premier summer cycling events in the region, took place on Saturday at the Snowmass Ski Area. This 50-mile race, organized by Aspen Skiing Co., is highly regarded in the local mountain biking community and has become a staple of the summer racing season.
Aspen local John Gaston once again proved his dominance, claiming the top spot for the third consecutive year. Gaston completed the grueling 50-mile course in an impressive 4 hours, 23 minutes, and 31.9 seconds. The 37-year-old, who is also a nationally recognized ski mountaineering athlete, finished with a commanding 20-minute lead over second-place finisher Brian Elander from Evergreen, who clocked in at 4:43:52.4. Basalt’s Ricky Creel rounded out the top three, finishing just behind Elander with a time of 4:44:46.9.
In the women’s category, Snowmass local Caroline Tory emerged as the top finisher, securing 12th place overall with a time of 5:38:12.7. She was followed by Vail’s Bayli McSpadden, who took second among the women and 15th overall with a time of 6:04:33.8. Aspen’s Jenya Berino completed the women’s podium, finishing third in 6:35:11.2, placing 20th overall.
The race course, known for its challenging terrain, featured many of the Snowmass area’s IMBA Gold-Level rated trails and included a staggering 5,000 feet of elevation gain per lap, with competitors completing two 25-mile loops.
In the 25-mile single lap race, Aspen’s Miguel Sancheztuda emerged victorious, crossing the finish line in 2:38:44.6. He was followed closely by Snowmass local Charles Burrus, who finished in 2:39:06.4, and Basalt’s Josh Gaube, who took third with a time of 2:44:04.2.
Basalt’s Katherine Keel dominated the women’s 25-mile race, finishing in 3:23:02.5 and securing 23rd place overall. Carbondale’s Manasseh Franklin claimed second place among the women with a time of 3:29:30.7, while Vermont’s Leah Skypeck finished third, clocking in at 3:34:28 for 34th place overall.
The event also featured a 50-mile team race, where each participant completed a single 25-mile loop. In the co-ed category, Ethan Ash and Sofia Waite took the win with a combined time of 5 hours and 11 minutes. The men’s team victory went to Sami Inkinen and Ryan Koster, who finished in 4:51, while Rachel Beck and Courtney Knott won the women’s team race, crossing the finish line in 6:16.
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